Into the Dark Attic: 5 Sneaky Tips and Tricks for Decorating an Attic
For some, attics are nothing but empty spaces where you can dump and store items that you can no longer use in the house. Sometimes, people think of it as something that we can see in horror movies, with dark, smothering spaces and spider webs. Indeed, there is something unlikely about attics.
Regardless of its unfavorable reputation, if you decorate and utilize an attic well, you can make it into a comfortable and cozy space. You can even convert it into a bedroom for guests and visitors.
For sure, decorating an attic can be full of challenges because of its limited space, lofty-feeling, and low ceiling. But do not get dismayed! Check the tips below to create the perfect attic space that will accommodate all your needs.
Light it Up
Most attics are reasonably small and offer an insufficient amount of natural light. As such, it can feel suffocating in the attic. So, first things first, choose the right color, specifically light colors, to incorporate in the space.
By doing so, you can effortlessly make a huge difference in how bright and large the attic space can look. Know that dark colors can make any room look relatively smaller. Thus, it is best to stick with light colors such as light yellow and white because they are especially powerful at reflecting light into space.
Furthermore, you can also opt for neutral shades such as beige, ivory, or dove gray. Pastels such as mint and sky blue are enticing options as well. It’s also a clever idea to paint the whole room, including the ceiling, with one shade as it makes the room seem bigger and wider.
Play with Pattern
Indeed, attics with slanted ceilings can quite be a challenge to beautify and decorate. But if appropriately decorated, it can give character and personality to an attic space. As such, consider maximizing the attic’s entire space by playing with patterns.
Make sure to add some beautiful patterns to the sloping sections of the ceiling. Don’t forget the walls! You can even create a mural on the walls to add some personality. Aside from that, go for whimsical wallpapers such as simple stripes, floral prints, or polka dots. By doing so, you can drive the attention to the slope.
Wood Paneling
Paneling arranged vertically will make any room seem taller. It can heighten, widen, and elongate the room, most especially in attic spaces. Go for tongue-and-groove choices like fiber planks and bed board because you can paint them and add your creative side to it.
Be sure to cover the entire ceiling and the walls for an extended look which makes space look taller and towering than it is. If you plan on painting them, use a light paint because it helps make space feel airy and spacious, and adds light.
Add Less Furniture
Since most attics have small spaces, the least that you can do is to cause a mess in the room by adding needless furnishings. With that said, it is best to choose smaller pieces of furniture, like a full-sized bed rather than a king-sized.
Keep in mind to just add the embellishments that you need to make the attic space much more comfortable.
Window Treatments
Windows installed on slanted walls are particularly hard to cover, and depending on your intention, you can decide to leave just the windows bare and open. However, if you are turning your attic into a bedroom, you might want to consider to cover them.
One option is to hang sheer drapes. This drapes will block most of the natural light but still allows a small amount of light to pass through. As such, the attic will not look gloomy even with closed sheer drapes.
Takeaway
There is no denying that attics creates the idea of a scary, dark, frightening, and cramped place. But if you decorate it well, you can turn this cramped and dark place into a comfortable and cozy room. Follow the above tips and scour any online stores such as Black Mango to get the best deals.
